BLUE MASS – The honor guards and ceremonial units from law enforcement agencies in Hudson County, North Bergen, Guttenberg, West New York, and North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue attended the recent Blue Mass that was held in North Bergen. (See brief.)

Last week, a citizens’ group that is politically opposed to the current North Bergen administration of Mayor Nicholas Sacco claimed that two West New York DPW workers have signed letters stating they saw several North Bergen DPW workers painting West New York Commissioner Count Wiley’s Town Hall office last fall.

The matter is significant because Count Wiley’s father, former North Bergen DPW Superintendent James Wiley, pleaded guilty last month to using his department workers to do work on his personal home on town time. If they were also sent to a neighboring town, it calls into question who knew about it.

Count Wiley has announced his intention to run for mayor of West New York, and to recall Mayor Felix Roque in that town. If Wiley was aware of potential corruption in North Bergen, it might damage his prospects.

Last week, Mario Blanch, an attorney for the North Bergen Concerned Citizens Group, held a press conference during which he handed out incriminating statements against Count Wiley. The statements, apparently written by West New York Department of Public Works (DPW) workers, claimed they witnessed North Bergen DPW workers painting Wiley’s office.

However, Count Wiley responded later in the week that the workers did paint his ceiling, and that they did it as part of a shared services program between the two towns.

Wiley’s assistant announced that the commissioner would hold a press conference Thursday, Oct. 4 at 3 p.m. at Wiley’s campaign headquarters located at 58th Street and Hudson Avenue in West New York.

The outcome of the press conference was not available by press time on Thursday afternoon, but by the time you receive this newspaper, it will be available as an up-to-the-minute news item at hudsonreporter.com.

Blue Mass honors law enforcement

The first annual Blue Mass took place on Saturday, June 23 in honor and recognition of fallen members of law enforcement. Members of North Bergen, Guttenberg, and the West New York police, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Department, and North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue marched in parade fashion from James J. Braddock Park to Our Lady of Fatima Church on Kennedy Boulevard. A memorial service was held in the church followed by a reception in the lower level.

More than 150 officers and family marched and were joined by the Honor Guard & Ceremonial Unit as well as Monmouth County Bagpipers. North Bergen Police Commissioner Theresa Ferraro was on hand and gave the men and woman who wear the uniform, praise for their dedication serving and protecting the community.

NBPD Chief William Galvin said he was impressed by the turnout and encouragement from those along the parade route. Looking over the crowd, the chief said he was pleased and happy to see so many people who cared about local law enforcement. “This is a nice turnout for our first time, and I know next year it will grow even larger,” he said.

Palisades Child Care Center opens expanded location in North Bergen

On Oct. 1, Mayor Nicholas Sacco helped lead a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the grand opening of Palisades Child Care Center’s new, expanded location at 7701 Marine Road in North Bergen. The new center features larger classrooms equipped with new computers, an indoor activity center, two age-appropriate playgrounds, and web camera viewing for parents.

Previously located in Edgewater, Palisades Child Care Center is affiliated with Palisades Medical Center and it originally opened its doors in 1984, and is the longest-running day care center along the Hudson River waterfront serving Hudson and southern Bergen Counties. The Center’s new 7,000 square foot location is licensed for 120 children and features a modern, open-space floor plan to better accommodate classes and recreational activities within the Center.

The Palisades Child Care Center is open weekdays and offers full and part-time sessions as well as after-school care. For more information, please call Patricia Doerner (201) 945-1447.

Palisades Medical Center offers maternity classes

On Thursday, Oct. 11 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. the hospital will have Newborn Baby Care Classes that cost $25 per couple if delivering at PMC, $50 if delivering elsewhere. The basics of newborn care, starting with the appearance and characteristics of a newborn will be taught. Other topics include: bonding, understanding cues, crying, colic, safety measures, health and development, sponge bathing and bathing. Guests will also practice swaddling, dressing and diapering.

Sibling Preparation for Birth Class and pizza party which costs $10 will be held on Friday, Oct. 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. It is a fun and effective way to teach soon to be siblings ages 3 and up all about babies. Your young ones will learn the exciting parts of being a big brother or sister while being explained safety issues like holding a baby properly.

Child Birth Classes will be on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and cost $125 per couple if delivering at PMC, $150 if delivering elsewhere. The more you understand about the process of labor, the better prepared you and your support partner will feel. Classes include understanding the labor process, breathing and relaxation techniques to work with your body, the role of the support person, options for pain medications and medical interventions, Caesarean birth, understand your changing body after birth, newborn appearance and procedures after birth.

Scleroderma Product & Service Fair

On Sunday, Oct. 13 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. the Scleroderma Foundation/ Tri-State Chapter which is a Hackensack Support Group will give guests the a chance to learn about products and services that can help with everyday living with scleroderma and related conditions. This product fair will serve as a good resource for patients as well as family members and caregivers that are involved with the care of scleroderma and related conditions. The event will be held at the Holiday Inn of Hasbrouck Heights, 283 Route 17, South Hasbrouck Heights.

Scleroderma [sklair-uh-DERM-uh] is a chronic, often progressive, autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its own body. With no known cause, scleroderma is a painful, life altering disease that can be fatal.

For more information about the Scleroderma Product Fair, please contact Hackensack Support co-leaders, Emily Chillino (201-488-7172) or Jan Gnall (973-997-5590). For more information about Scleroderma or the Scleroderma Foundation, Tri-State Chapter, please contact our the office at 800-867-0885 or About Scleroderma visit the web at www.SclerodermaTriState.org.

PF&G Lawyers offer free seminar series on estate planning

PF&G, an innovative business boutique law firm located in Guttenberg, will offer a free seminar series on Estate Planning. Seminars will take place at Palisades Medical Center and will focus on Estate Planning and Asset Protection Planning.

Monday, Oct. 29, will mark the first seminar taking place at Palisades Medical Center. To RSVP, please email mferrer@plataferrer.com or call (201) 875-1001 by Oct. 22.

Seminars will focus on Estate Planning and Asset Protection Planning topics. The series is structured to educate and bring awareness to the importance of having a proper estate plan in place.

For more information on PF&G and its legal services call 201.875.1001 or visit www.plataferrer.com.

New Jersey Meadowlands Commission schedules events

NJMC William D. McDowell Observatory is open to the public for free stargazing through its research-grade telescope on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 8 to 10 p.m. in September and October, weather permitting and excluding holidays. No registration is required. “Let’s Talk Astronomy” learning sessions are held on Tuesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m., with registration and fee required. The observatory is located in DeKorte Park, Lyndhurst. Visitors must be able to climb 25 steps.

For more information on the observatory and the “Let’s Talk Astronomy” programs, as well as details on what can be seen in the weeks ahead, visit www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec or call (201) 460-8300.

The First-Sunday-of-the-Month Nature Walk will be held by the NJMC and BCAS on Sunday Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. with free admission. Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus is a great place to see raptors and waterfowl along with the amazing ancient cedar stumps. Those interested in attending will meet at the trail’s entrance, just off Park Plaza Drive. You can also meet at the visitors’ parking lot at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst at 9:30 a.m. and carpool. The walk is run by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society. Check meadowblog.net for last-minute updates and weather advisories. Visitors will have to sign a standard liability release that is good for NJMC/BCAS events throughout the year. To RSVP, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or call (201) 230-4983.

At Family Science Night on Tuesday, Oct. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. learn the difference between Chrondrichthyes and Osteichthyes, plus all you ever wanted to know about fish. If you bring a T-shirt you can make a fish print. Admission is $5 per person and $4 for MEC members. While the program is geared toward ages 6-12, families are welcome to bring children of all ages. It will be held at the Meadowlands Environment Center, Two DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst. For more information call (201) 460-8300 or visit www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec.